Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: The crossing

Hello from Tokyo, where Nikkei's annual two-day Future of Asia conference has just wrapped up with great success. Not only were there many distinguished speakers this year, but the venue was nearly filled to capacity, fostering lively interactions among all involved.

This year's theme was "Asian Leadership in an Uncertain World." The world is indeed full of uncertainties, not a few stemming from Asia -- from North Korea's nuclear development and maritime confrontations in the South China Sea to continuing violence in Myanmar and escalating tensions between China and the U.S.

I myself moderated a session with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who will soon be 99 years old. This year marked the 29th anniversary of the conference, and the veteran statesman has attended most of the past forums. I enjoyed hearing his insights on a wide range of topics, forged by his long experience as one of Asia's most prominent leaders.

Speaking of uncertainties, to most people, the thought of traversing the jungles of South America by canoe and on foot for days on end only to meet an unclear future at the U.S. border is unimaginable. But more and more middle-class Chinese are doing just that. This week's Big Story explores why they are taking such a huge risk, and what they are experiencing during their quest to achieve a better life in the U.S., based on interviews and on-the-ground reporting from China and the U.S.

We have seen many reports about the recent surge in illegal Chinese immigration into the U.S. These stories highlight how more and more Chinese are escaping difficult situations back home in search of a better life. But I imagine that life in the U.S. for these people is not always rosy, and I'm interested to know